Aston Villa have received a boost with the return of Leon Bailey to full fitness ahead of Saturday’s match against Manchester City.
The winger, who scored the only goal in Villa’s victory over City last December, is back in the squad after recovering from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the last three games.
Defender Tyrone Mings is also available after recovering from the illness that led to his late withdrawal during last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest.
Villa manager Unai Emery is optimistic that Jacob Ramsey will return to training soon. The midfielder has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in a 2-0 loss at Liverpool last month.
Villa currently sit seventh in the Premier League, just two points behind a City side that has lost eight of its last 11 matches across all competitions.
“It’s a very tough match and a very exciting match for us,” said Emery. “The motivation of playing Manchester City at home for our supporters as well is going to be great.”
Emiliano Martínez gives brutal assessment of Aston Villa form ahead of Manchester City
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has expressed disappointment with his performances this season as his team competes at the top level in both the Premier League and Europe.
Martínez, who recently made history by becoming the first two-time winner of FIFA’s The Best Men’s Goalkeeper award in 2024, earned the honor after playing a pivotal role in Villa’s Champions League qualification last season and securing the Copa América with Argentina over the summer.
So far this season, the 32-year-old has recorded six clean sheets and conceded 27 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions, with Villa currently sitting seventh in the league standings.
In a candid and self-critical reflection, Martínez shared his thoughts on his own form and Villa’s prospects for the season ahead.
“I’m doing very badly, I’m not having a good year in that regard, by chance they always end up putting me in,” the Argentinian lamented in an interview with ESPNArgentina , relayed by Olé .
“But the important thing is to win, to be in the Champions League again, to fight in the Premier League and try to win some titles. Those are my objectives, the clean sheet is secondary.”
In addition to winning The Best award, Emiliano Martínez also claimed the Yashin Trophy for the second consecutive year last month and earned widespread praise for a remarkable save against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Despite acknowledging his own underwhelming performances, the former Arsenal goalkeeper remains mindful of his status as the world’s top goalkeeper.
“I’m feeling very good, I think it’s my best moment,” Martínez continued.
“I feel like I’m a very consistent goalkeeper, that I fit well into any system.”
Villa’s number 23, Emiliano Martínez, has experienced a remarkable rise, overcoming a series of unsuccessful loan spells and limited opportunities at Arsenal that delayed his breakthrough in football.
His move to Villa Park at the age of 28 marked a turning point, as it made him a first-choice goalkeeper for the first time in his career, coinciding with his peak years.
Under Unai Emery, Aston Villa are now competing at the highest level in both domestic and European football following their Champions League qualification last season.
However, the demands are beginning to show. While Villa have impressed in their Champions League campaign, currently sitting fifth in the group stage, they’ve struggled slightly in the Premier League, where they are seventh, just three points shy of the top four.
“We are having a bit more trouble than usual in the Premier League due to the demands of the Champions League, where we are doing very well within the top 5,” the Villa ‘keeper admitted.
“In the Premier League we are in the top 7, we are competing. Maybe we don’t have all the necessary weapons to compete in all the tournaments for first place, but I think that at the level we have, we are doing it in the best way.”
Manchester City visit on Saturday lunchtime, arriving as a team facing their own struggles. With just one win in their last 10 games, they find themselves in a disappointing fifth place in the league. However, Martínez is well aware that City can never be underestimated.
“It’s normal, it’s difficult to maintain the level they had for so many years: it’s going to be difficult for anyone to match what they did in these last six years.
“They’re not doing badly. The thing is that people are used to seeing them win 4-0 in every game. City hasn’t gone anywhere, they’re still the best in the world.”
